I started to write a nice story on how I ended up with this bike but decided to keep it as short as possible and just state likes and dislikes with a liitle elaboration on the way.
I bought this bike because it seemed a good value and my local dealer took care of me on the sale. MSRP is $1750, I paid a little less than that. I requested to recieve the bike un touched, in the box.
Thank You Bike Source of Charlotte.
Frame is a 2016 Aluminum with thru axle. THe 2015 had skewers. My left rear drop out had issue. I had to be clean it up to allow the axle to slide in and out freely. The frame has a carbon fork (Aluminum steerer). This bike is very stiff, yet not harsh while riding. You will not get ANY twisting from this frame. It is a bit heavier than I thought it would be.
The factory wheels were very heavy. My hubs felt horrible and needed some preload adjusting and still felt bad. Spoke were straight gauge 2.0 with brass nipples. I was so dissapointed with the hubs I replaced them with some cost effective hubs I got from Bike Hub Store.
http://www.bikehubstore.com/ I relaced with Sapim Laser spokes and Aluminum nipples. THe rims are Tubeless ready Weiman. 32 hole, 25 mm wide, 30 tall, and weighed 485 each. ALL good numbers, I reused them. I took 1.2 lbs off the weight of the wheels by rebuilding. Mine were 1740 grams when finished.
Stem and seatpost was some weird Trans X vibration reducting system. They have rubber dampers in them and they are ridiculously heavy. Replaced with a Specialized Zert Post and Ritchey WCS stem I had laying around. Handle bars are Raleighs own with a 12 degree flare on the drops with some nice rubbery grip tape. They have a wonderful shape to them. They are keepers.
THe 105 drive train is flawless. Shimano 11 speed is the best shifting system I have ever used. Even the lower grade 11 speed is awesome. Cranks are CX 500 series 46/36. Nothing wrong here. A buddy of mine had some 46/34 Ultegra cranks for a deal so I replace mine and knocked another 100 grams off.
THere is a reason the TRP Sprye are rated as the Best mechanical brake. Super easy set up, with a ton of easy adjustments if needed. Power is good.
THe bike itself is incredibly stable on the road or gravel. It tracks like it is on a mission. I've done some rough down hills and you literaly can take one hand off the bar with no fear. Ride quality is good. When standing and mashing, there is absolutely NO power loss to the rear wheel. On real steep slower climbs while seated you can feel the slack head angle. It is not a bad thing, you just need keep the wheel straight or it will wander around a bit. Decending gravel at 40+mph is awesome. I never felt I was too far over the front, very balanced and in control with the ability to be pinned over hard on curvey dirt roads with a little counter steering.
THere are some 2015 models still to be had, and I think the components (wheels, etc.) may be a little more worthy and lighter. Most shops can cut a better deal on the older stock. I just had to have the 2016 with thru axles.
I love the geometry and how I sit on the bike. I love the handling. THe geometry is not some warmed over cross bike numbers. It is more like "commitment numbers" dedicated to gravel roads. I have been riding it on my road rides regularly I just wished it was a bit lighter. I like it enough to think there may be a carbon one in my future. I got mine down to 20.2 lbs as pictured with the road wheels on it.
